Can I See My Doctor for Workers’ Compensation in Alabama?

The rules for assigning doctors to workers’ compensation cases in Alabama are strict. You have no guarantee that your preferred doctor will serve as your treating physician. Regardless of who provides your treatment, you must see them and follow their instructions. If you don’t, you could jeopardize your rights to workers’ comp benefits.

Suppose you are not satisfied with the assigned treating physician in your case. In that case, Gartlan Injury Law can help you ask your employer for a list of four doctors from which you can choose a designated workers’ compensation physician and work with you to explore all other options for getting the care you need.

For instance, when you work with Gartlan Injury Law, an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer can draft a letter to request a new doctor from your employer and represent you in a hearing on your workers’ compensation claim, if necessary. We can help you with every aspect of your workers’ comp claim if you have been injured on the job anywhere in South Alabama, including ensuring you get proper medical care and that your benefits package includes everything you deserve.

We want to help you move forward after an on-the-job injury has disrupted your life. Contact us today and learn more through a free consultation.

Can I Change Doctors If I Am Unhappy with My Assigned Doctor?

Workers’ compensation insurance covers most employees injured on the job in Alabama. In addition to other benefits, workers’ comp pays medical expenses related to workplace injuries and a portion of a disabled worker’s lost wages during recovery.

Your employer and their workers’ compensation insurance carrier will assign a treating physician to serve as your designated workers’ compensation physician for the length of your injury and claim.

Immediately after an accident, an employee can seek emergency medical treatment from their own doctor or another provider. However, to protect their right to workers’ compensation benefits, the employee must seek follow-up care from an employer-designated doctor within five days of the accident.

If you need further treatment but are dissatisfied with your initial, employer-selected treating physician, you can tell your employer and their insurance company in writing. Then, you will have a one-time opportunity to select a second physician from your employer’s chosen list of four physicians.

Ideally, your employer should make it easy for employees to know who the designated workers’ compensation physicians are. If possible, you can research the physicians in advance of receiving treatment.

If the Initial Doctor Refers Me to Another Doctor, Does My Workers’ Comp Cover That New Doctor?

If your employer’s designated workers’ compensation physician refers you to another provider, workers’ compensation should pay for the resulting medical expenses.

Am I Permitted to Seek a Second Opinion for My Work-Related Injury?

You may see your own doctor or another provider for a second opinion about your workplace injury. However, your workers’ compensation coverage will not pay for this exam.

If a second provider prescribes treatment contrary to the designated workers’ compensation physician’s treatment plan, or if you have another reason to do so, you can request permission from your employer or their insurance carrier to begin treatment by your doctor or another provider.

Workers’ comp will cover the doctor’s treatments if you receive permission. However, if you do not receive permission, you must follow the treatment plan that your designated workers’ compensation physician prescribes, or else you risk losing workers’ comp benefits.

What Is an Independent Medical Examination (IME)?

If you and your employer, or your employer’s designated physician, disagree about the extent of your injury, treatment, and ability to return to work, you may formally request an independent medical examination (IME) to help settle the dispute.

If granted, a court will appoint a neutral physician of good standing to examine you and report their findings. The physician must be someone other than your doctor. It cannot be a physician treating you, including your designated workers’ compensation physician, or a doctor previously treating you for the same work injury.

If your employer requests an IME, you must undergo the exam, or your workers’ compensation benefits will stop. You or your employer may request a copy of the independent physician’s report. They may also need to testify if the dispute requires a hearing.

What Would Be Some Valid Reasons for Wanting to Change Doctors?

If you are unhappy with the designated physician assigned to you for an Alabama workers’ compensation claim and the medical treatment you are receiving, Gartlan Injury Law can help you seek a change. Contact us to discuss such concerns as:

• Dissatisfaction with a designated workers’ compensation physician’s treatment plan.
• Disagreement about the severity of your injury.
• Disagreement about your readiness to return to work.
• Disagreement about your need for workplace accommodation.
• The designated workers’ compensation physician lacks specialty expertise for your injury.
• You believe that the doctor is prioritizing your employer’s interests over yours.

To change your designated workers’ compensation physician a second time (after choosing from the employer’s list of four), you must formally request it and provide your reasons to your employer or their insurance carrier. Gartlan Injury Law can help you prepare this request and advocate for you in all hearings related to your medical treatment and all other benefits you deserve through your workers’ compensation claim.

Contact an Alabama Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

At Gartlan Injury Law, our workers’ compensation attorneys are passionate about helping injured workers seek the benefits they deserve, including full and proper medical treatment. We always put people first and work hard to pursue just results for them. Contact us today to discuss how we can help with your workers’ compensation claim and receive a free consultation.

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